The aim of breeding is creating new grapevine varieties which have improved specific
characteristic(s) compared to existing varieties. Breeding resolves problems related to the
production of specific variety in certain conditions. One of the methods used in creating new
varieties is hybridization, which is based on controlled pollination of chosen parent varieties.
One of the problems related to controlled crosses is emasculation of hermaphrodite flowers,
because grapevine is a dominantly self-pollinating plant. Emasculation is a demanding and
long-term work, and the success of hybridization in fact depends on it's careful execution.
One of the ways to avoid this step is using grapevine varieties with functionally female flower
which does not demand emasculation due to the sterility of pollen. ‘Grk’ (V.vinifera L.) and
‘Dišeća ranina’ (V.vinifera L.) are native grapevine varieties with a functionally female flower
which simultaneously possess certain qualitative characteristics because of which they were
chosen as one parent in this hybridization. Hybridization was done in two combinations and
the ‘Panonija’ variety, which is particularly resistant to diseases, was used as a pollinator.
Considering that the varieties ‘Grk’ and ‘Dišeća ranina’ yield wines of exquisite quality, and
that the ‘Panonija’ variety has great potential against downy mildew, the end goal is to create
a new variety which will make good wines, and still will be resistant to downy mildew. In
order to determine whether a specific variety is convenient for hybridization, it is necessary to
examine seed germination which depends on multiple factors. Also, resistance of seedling to
downy mildew should be evaluated.